The beginning of Storm Freya ensured the opening day of the new shinty season didn’t go as smoothly as planned on Saturday 2 March 2019.

Mowi Premiership

Newtonmore 0 Kilmallie 2

Newly promoted Kilmallie were given the most difficult assignment on their return to shinty’s top flight as they travelled to play on champions Newtonmore at the Eilan.

‘More’s Steven MacDonald missed out as he completed a two match suspension carried forward from last season.

This was a first competitive match in charge for new Kilmallie boss John Stewart and he was without Calum MacDougall who was working.

Stewart was also forced to make a late change as Martin Stewart pulled out injured in the warm up so 16 year old Cam Clark started at wing back against young Iain Robinson and was excellent throughout.

Kilmallie keeper Shane Gillies made a couple of early saves with his feet as ‘More looked to make the breakthrough.

However the opening goal came at the other end. Daniel Stewart initially played the ball in from the right. The ‘More defence failed to deal with the danger and Stewart continued his run across the box and he took a touch before beating keeper Kenny Ross at his right post to make it 1-0 with 30 minutes played.

It got even better for the Canal Parks side when Liam MacDonald doubled their lead with just 60 first half seconds remaining. There was some good play between the Kilmallie forwards as Liam MacDonald and Craig MacIsaac combined before Michael Rodger touched the ball to the onrushing Liam MacDonald and the captain cracked the ball high into the top corner of the goal to make it 2-0.

Kilmallie played well all over the pitch and their defence kept keeper Shane Gillies protected although he did have to make saves one-on-one against Evan Menzies, Glen MacKintosh and Iain Robertson.

Lovat 5 Kinlochshiel 0

Lovat got their season off to a spectacular start when they beat Kinlochshiel 5-0 at Balgate

Lovat’s Callum Cruden was suspended whilst Ryan Ferguson was unavailable. However there was a starting place at wing forward for Fraser Heath who joined the club from Glenurquhart in the close season.

Kinlochshiel had Stuart MacRae in goal, taking over from Scott Kennedy who retired at the end of last season.

A beautiful morning in Kiltarlity quickly changed 20 minutes into the match with rain falling and a strong wind blowing across the park.

Lovat created a chance on 12 minutes as Fraser Heath’s cross from found Greg Matheson on the right and his shot went close.

A couple of minutes later, ‘Shiel’s John MacRae got away from Daniel Grieve but he shot wide.

As the game unfolded, the damage was done in the first half. Marc MacLachlan got the opener on 25 minutes when he gathered possession following a poor goal-hit which Paul MacRae tried to clear. MacLachlan played a one-two with Greg Matheson, running onto the return ball on the right and then diving full stretch to touch the ball past the on-rushing keeper.

On 26 minutes, Jordan Fraser, who had moved to the ‘Shiel right, saw his rasping shot saved with his club by Lovat goalie Stuart MacDonald.

The hosts added a second following a flowing move a couple of minutes later. Greg Matheson’s ball forward was deflected high in the air and Marc MacLachlan stretched to flick the dropping ball over his head and past the keeper from just inside the D.

MacLachlan completed his hat-trick on the stroke of half-time. Lewis Tawse took down a loose clearance and he found Greg Matheson who shot from 30 yards out. Keeper MacRae stopped the ball with his feet but MacLachlan was first onto the rebounded and he tucked the ball away to give Lovat a 3-0 interval lead.

Calum MacAulay, who came off the bench to replace the injured Graeme MacMillan in the first half, himself had to be substituted on 50 minutes. Chris Johnstone took over.

Another Lovat reshuffle on 59 minutes saw Martin Mainland replaced by Thomas Fraser with Fraser Heath going to buckshee back where he was very effective.

Greg Matheson saw a powerful shot well-saved by Stuart MacRae on 61 minutes before Matheson eventually added his name to the scoresheet on 65 minutes. A superb cross from Thomas Fraser, who won possession out on the left touchline, was perfectly placed to go over Marc MacLachlan and Paul MacRae and drop for Greg Matheson at the right of the D and Matheson crashed the ball low into the net.

Marc MacLachlan rounded off a great afternoon’s work with 8 minutes remaining. Lorne MacKay chipped the ball forward from the middle of the park and Marc MacLachlan capitalised on some hesitancy in the ‘Shiel defence to win the possession ahead of Paul MacRae and he turned inside before knocking the ball low into the net from close range.

Lovat played well and took their chances although ‘Shiel will rue some defensive lapses. Lovat’s Daniel Grieve looked unbeatable at full back, Lorne MacKay was effective in midfield and there was always a threat up front where four-goal Marc MacLachlan grabbed the headlines.

Inveraray A Oban Camanachd A

Oban Camanachd’s new season got off to a false start as their match against newly promoted Inveraray at the Winterton was abandoned early in the second half.

This was Stephen Sloss’ first competitive match as Oban Camanachd manager and he was without Aidan MacIntyre who was unable to travel as he was working so Scott MacMillan came in on the wing. Chrissie MacMillan was banned.

Ruaraidh Graham remains in charge at Inveraray who won promotion from the National at the end of last season.

With the weather deteriorating, the teams had to be cautious, even during the warm up, as the pitch was already cutting up.

Connor Howe and Daniel Madej had chances for Oban Camanachd as did Andrew MacCuish at the start of the second half.

The closest Inveraray came was a Fraser Watt shot from a central position which keeper Cameron Sutherland saved with his chest before clearing for a corner.

However, after 55 minutes, with the match still scoreless, referee Robert Baxter brought the game to an end, citing player safety, and the teams will have to do it all over again later in the season.

Lochaber A Caberfeidh A

Lochaber’s meeting with Caberfeidh at Spean Bridge was another to fall foul of the weather.

With Michael Delaney back in charge at Lochaber, play started but it wasn’t long before referee Graham Cameron brought proceedings to an early end.

Kyles Athletic P Kingussie P

The match between Kyles Athletic and Kingussie was postponed by referee David Mitchell just ahead of throw up as the Playing Fields at Tighnabruaich succumbed to the pre-match rain.

Mowi National Division

Beauly 4 Fort William 5

Fort William edged out Beauly by the odd goal in nine after an exciting contest at Braeview Park.

Beauly boss Alan MacRae started with Josh Grant in goal after sharing the pre-season goalkeeping duties between Grant and MacKay Murray.

Fort co-managers Victor Smith and Adam Robertson travelled without the injured James Tangney and the suspended Arran MacPhee.

The afternoon started with a slight breeze but, by the end of the first half, the wind had picked up and the rain started to fall.

The pitch held up very well and the small band of supporters who braved the elements were treated to a thrilling game of end-to-end shinty.

Beauly started well and they took the lead after 4 minutes when Jack MacDonald sent the ball through to youngster Euan MacCormick and he unleashed a hard, low shot past Fort keeper Paul MacKay at his right-hand post.

Fort William levelled on 16 minutes when Calum Shepherd played the ball into the danger-area where Jack Fraser touched it onto Lewis Morrison and he slammed the ball home.

Fort William’s JD MacMaster was first to find his name in referee John Angus Gillies’ book for a reckless swing midway through the first half.

Jack MacDonald looked menacing in the home forward line, giving the Fort defence a torrid time, and he put his side back in front on 25 minutes when he took a diagonal pass from Sean Stewart before firing into the top of the net.

Jack Fraser was Fort William’s danger-man and he peeled away from marker David Fraser on 32 minutes before hitting a low drive into the bottom corner of the net to make it 2-2.

It looked as if Fort William would lead at the break when an unmarked Alexander MacMillan found space on the D and he poked the ball past the keeper at this right-hand post to make it 3-2.

However Beauly forced a late corner and Sean Stewart played a great ball into the goal area where Jack MacDonald took it first time, driving it past the keeper to make it 3-3 at the end of a first half which was played a good tempo.

Beauly claimed for a penalty when Paul MacKay caught Daniel Lamont, who had run into the D, as he cleared for a corner but referee Gillies looked for a moment and then waved away their claims.

Fort William’s Jack Fraser scored the goal of the match on 69 minutes. Fraser got on the end of a corner from the left, 18 yards from goal, and he arrowed a fierce shot into the top corner of the net, giving the keeper no chance.

The game continued to swing from one goal area to another and Beauly bagged an inevitable equaliser on 77 minutes. Jack MacDonald had gone close on more than one occasion before Euan MacCormick found Sean Stewart on the right and he turned his marker before shooting into the bottom corner of the net to make it 4-4.

It only took Fort William a couple of minutes to get their noses back in front. Jack Fraser played a pass through to Lewis Morrison and he struck the ball first-time to claim his second goal of the afternoon and it proved to be the winner.

Indeed Morrison almost claimed a hat-trick on 82 minutes when his strike shaved the post.

Both teams are to be commended for delivering a very good game of shinty in trying conditions.

Calum Shepherd and Calum Morrison had a good battle in the middle of the park whist Angus Renwick was commanding at buckshee back for Beauly.

Jack MacDonald was best Beauly whilst Lachie Shaw and Jack Fraser shone for the Fort.

Glenurquhart 3 Strathglass 0

New Glenurquhart co-managers Stuart MacKintosh and Eddie Tembo got off to a winning start as their side were 3-0 derby winners against Strathglass at Blairbeg.

This was a second successive Saturday meeting between the sides with the Glen winning 1-0 in their MacDonald Cup match at Cannich the previous weekend.

Ewan Brady got the opener for the Glen and Andrew Corrigan made it 2-0 before the break.

Ewan Brady marked his return to competitive action with his second and Glenurquhart’s third goal in the second half.

Oban Celtic A Bute A

The game between Oban Celtic and Bute was abandoned after around an hour’s play at Mossfield.

New Oban Celtic boss Dougie MacIntyre was able to include captain Ross MacMillan who had recovered from a knock suffered in the pre-season meeting with Inveraray.

Bute, back in shinty’s second tier, had some early pressure before Oban Celtic came more into it.

Oban Celtic had a chance midway through the half when Ross MacMillan shot from a tight angle and the ball beat the keeper but stuck on the goal line in the heavy conditions.

The hosts suffered a blow 10 minutes before the break when centre Neil Carmichael suffered an accidental blow to the hand resulting in a dislocated thumb and he must be a doubt for this week’s match at Fort William. Lee Askew came off the bench to join the attack with Ally McKerracher going to the middle of the park.

Neither keeper had any significant saves to make with moves breaking down in front of goal as the ball held up on the surface.

With players slipping and sliding, and indeed holding back to prevent injuring an opponent, referee Iain Kennedy halted proceedings after around an hour with the contest still scoreless.

Skye Camanachd P Glasgow Mid Argyll P

Title hopefuls Skye Camanachd and Glasgow Mid Argyll were to meet in a 3pm throw up at Pairc nan Loach, Portree.

However referee Deek Cameron had no option but to call the game off just over an hour before throw up as the heavy rain, which fell in the lead up to the match, left the field unplayable.

Mowi North Division 1

Aberdeen University 0 Glengarry 7

Glengarry made a strong start to the season as they overcame Aberdeen University 7-0 at Balgownie.

The home side only had eleven players available and an on-form ‘Garry side took full advantage.

Raymond Robertson scored on 15 and 17 minutes to give the visitors early control.

Nick Dalgety on 33 minutes and Andrew Gilchrist a minute later made it 4-0 at the break.

Nick Dalgety went on to complete his hat-trick with goals on 48 and 62 minutes whilst Raymond Robertson notched his treble with a 74 minute strike.

Caberfeidh 5 Skye Camanachd 1

The Caberfeidh second team made a winning start after their promotion at the end of last season, beating the Skye Camanachd second team 5-1 at Castle Leod.

Kyle Grant gave the hosts an opening minute lead and Ruaraidh MacLeman made it 2-0 on 36 minutes.

James MacLeod killed the match as a contest with quick-fire strikes on 57 and 60 minutes.

Skye’s Iain Murray pulled a goal back on 72 minutes before James MacLeod completed his hat-trick on 82 minutes.

Kingussie 2 Glenurquhart 2

The Kingussie seconds came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 against the Glenurquhart seconds at Blairbeg.

Jed Stoddart on 7 minutes and David MacLennan on 53 minutes had the Glen 2-0 ahead.

However the Kings conjured up a late show as Ryan Borthwick on 70 minutes and Cameron Leiper 5 minutes from time earned a share of the spoils.

Kinlochshiel 2 Lovat 9

Cameron MacMillan and Raymond Rennie both scored four times as the Lovat reserves beat the Kinlochshiel reserves 9-2 at Kirkton.

There were doubts as to whether the game would go ahead until Camanachd Association official Graham Cormack stepped in a referee.

Jamie Matheson, back with Lovat after a spell at Caberfeidh, opened the scoring on 7 minutes.

Cameron MacMillan on 13 minutes and Raymond Rennie on 14 minutes made it 3-0.

Lewis MacVicar was credited with pulling a goal back on 21 minutes but the ball went into the net off Lovat’s Martin Bell.

Raymond Rennie then took his count to four goals with strikes on 23, 34 and 37 minutes, punctured by a 35 minute Cameron MacMillan effort.

Lewis MacVicar was again credited with a goal late in the half and this time the ball went over the line off Lovat’s Jamie Buchan to make it 7-2 at the interval.

Cameron MacMillan matched Rennie’s four-goal haul by netting on 53 and 58 minutes to make the final score 9-2.

Fort William A Newtonmore A

Champions Newtonmore reserves were to begin another title defence at An Aird, against the Fort William seconds who finished second last term.

A Neil Arnott inspired Tayforth side came from 4-0 down to draw 4-4 with Aberdour at Silversands.

A Niall MacPhee own goal after a couple of minutes and David McDougal on 29 minutes had the hosts 2-0 ahead.

Aberdour’s Craig Grant was sent off by referee Ross Brown after 36 minutes but they added to their tally when David MacKenzie scored on 40 minutes to make it 3-0 at the break.

When Angus Thorburn added a fourth after 52 minutes, Aberdour looked good for the points.

However Neil Arnott got the visitors back into the match on 65 minutes and the goal seemed to unnerve Aberdour,

Arnott, who joined the club from Lochcarron in the close season, earned the visitors a point with three more strikes on 74, 83 and 87 minutes.

Ballachulish 1 Inveraray 0

Duncan MacDonald scored the only goal of the game, 10 minutes into the second half, as Ballachulish beat the newly promoted Glasgow Mid Argyll second team 1-0 in monsoon conditions at the Jubilee Park.

Lochside Rovers A Inveraray A

There was frustration for new Lochside Rovers manager Brian MacCallum as his team’s match against the Inveraray second team at Ganavan was postponed with the Oban side leading 5-0.

MacCallum was able to field a strong side including keeper Gavin Stobbart, Gary McKerracher in defence, Aidan MacIntyre at centre and Willie Neilson up front.

Andrew McMurdo took charge of Inveraray and he was without last year’s top goal scorer John Mackenzie but former Kilmallie player Peter McIntyre returned for a second spell with the club. Inveraray started brightly with Steven Cameron forcing a good save from Lochside keeper Stobbart.

Young Coll Mackay and Campbell Watt’s running were causing Lochside’s defence all sorts of problems in the early stages. However Lochside came into the game and once Lennon Campbell scored the opener on 14 minutes, they took a grip of the game.

Lewis Buchanan added a second a couple of minutes later and Willie Neilson went on to make it 4-0 with goals on 20 and 27 minutes and his strike on the angle was the pick of the afternoon’s goal.

Lewis Buchanan got his second on 35 minutes and Lochside led 5-0 at the break.

Young Gregor Mather in the Inveraray goals was in inspired form, preventing Lochside from adding to their tally. Referee Euan MacDonald consulted both managers at half-time as the Ganavan pitch was cutting up and puddles appearing so the sensible decision to abandon the game was taken. Lochside look to have a strong, attacking team with a mixture of youth and experience whilst Inveraray’s aim is to continue to blood their youngsters.

Col Glen P Taynuilt P

The match between Col Glen and Taynuilt at Glendaruel was postponed.

Mowi North Division 2

Inverness 2 Boleskine 2

The Inverness seconds and Boleskine drew 2-2 at the Bught Park.

Andy Reid and Michael Pirrie scored for the hosts with Steve Bone and James Anderson netting for Boleskine.

Lochcarron 7 Lewis Camanachd 1

Lochcarron were too strong for Lewis Camanachd, winning 7-1 in their 1.30pm throw up at Battery Park.

Gregor Cushnie scored five times on his return from Aberdeen University whilst Crisdean Finlayson got the other two.

Scott MacLeod countered for Lewis.

This was a first match as referee for Ewan Neilson.

Strathglass 1 Strathspey Camanachd 7

Strathspey were too strong for the Strathglass second team, winning 7-1 at Cannich.

Struan Ross on 2 and 6 minutes got the visitors off to a great start.

Former Newtonmore player John MacKenzie doubled their lead with a quick-fire brace on 16 and 18 minutes.

Raymond Fraser pulled a goal back on 22 minutes but Struan Ross completing his hat-trick 4 minutes before the break to make it 5-1.

With Mark MacDonald influential, this was a powerful Strathspey display and late goals from Xander Ross on 81 and Conor Aubrey on 85 minutes made it 7-1.

Kilmallie P Beauly P

The game between the Kilmallie colts and the Beauly colts was postponed as the Canal Parks was waterlogged with more rain forecast.

Mowi South Div 2

Kilmory 5 Oban Celtic 0

Kilmory beat the Oban Celtic second team 5-0 in their 2pm throw up at MacRae Park.

The match was played on a heavy pitch and conditions were terrible for both teams.

Alister MacArthur scored the only goal of the first half on 15 minutes and he got a second just 4 minutes into the second half.

Kilmory’s more experienced players made the difference and they put gloss on the win as Alex Cunningham on 78 minutes, Hal Jones on 83 minutes and Adam Johnston a minute from time rounded off the 5-0 win.

Glenorchy 7 Ardnamurchan 0

Ardnamurchan, back in the league again, went down 7-0 against Glenorchy at Mart Park.

Conor Sartain grabbed a hat-trick with goals on 35, 49 and 65 minutes whilst Kieran MacKay did likewise with strikes on 55, 70 and 74 minutes.

Ben MacFarlane-Barrow got Glenorchy’s other on 62 minutes.

(All throw ups are at 2.30pm unless the match report states differently)

WCA Round Up

The Women’s Camanachd Association focus was on the regional leagues.

Mowi North Division 2

Skye Camanachd 2 Kinlochshiel 6

Kinlochshiel beat the Skye second team 6-2 in Portree.

Abby MacLean scored both home goals but four-goal Eilidh MacInnes and strikes from Alaina MacLennan and Sandra MacRae gave ‘Shiel victory.

Inverness 2 Lovat 6

Fiona Urquhart bagged all six goals as Lovat won 6-2 in Inverness.

Glengarry P Fort William P

The match between Glengarry and Fort William was postponed.

Strathglass P Lochaber P

The clash between Strathglass and the Lochaber second team was postponed.

Mowi South Division 2

Oban Lorn 2 Cowal & Bute 1

The game between Oban Lorn and Cowal & Bute was switched to Mossfield.